Search results for ""Cranachan Publishing Limited""

Sink or swim to survive Solway's black water... Down by the coast, black water swirls and hides its secrets. Dumfries, 1792. Henry may only be twelve, but he has already begun his training in the Excise, combating smuggling like his father does. But when a large smuggling schooner is stranded nearby, the stakes are high - even with reinforcements, and the newly recruited officer, a poet called Robert Burns. Musket fire, obstructive locals, quicksand and cannonballs—it is a mission of survival. As it turns out: Henry has a crucial part to play. A Scottish smuggling novella based on real events.

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TWO BOYS. TWO COUNTRIES. ONE MISSION. Norway 1944 When Erik strikes up an unlikely friendship with German Radar operator, Hans, the pair soon become involved in a race against time to help destroy the Nazi warship, Tirpitz. Will their secret mission succeed? Shetland 2014 Finn’s great-grandfather receives a letter threatening the “revenge of Tirpitz”. They escape on a fishing boat, making the perilous journey to Norway, where they realise that facing up to the past puts their future in danger… We know what you did. We know where you are. Tirpitz will have her revenge The thrilling WW2 story of a boy's role in the sinking of the warship Tirpitz.

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Dundee, 1915. When twelve-year-old Nancy suspects one of her teachers is a German spy, she ropes in the reluctant Jamie Balfour to help her uncover the scheme. Midshipman Harry Melville is aboard HMS Argyll in the stormy North Sea, unaware of both hidden rocks and German plots that threaten the ship. Nancy and Jamie discover HMS Argyll is in deadly danger and they are drawn into a web of espionage, secrets, and betrayal, where no-one is as they seem and no-one can be trusted.

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Paisley 1876. 12-year-old Jim has escaped from the Poor House and now he must save his little brother from the same fate. His only hope lies in a mysterious family heirloom – a Paisley patterned shawl that has five guineas sewn into its hem – the price of a new life for Jim’s family. Now he must find the shawl and steal it back from the big house where the girl with the red hair lives… Two different worlds collide in this gripping Victorian mystery as Jim and Jessie unravel the past and its pattern of secrets…

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The wild is waiting... Esme is annoyed and braced for boredom when she’s sent to stay with her gran for the weekend, until she discovers a terrible mistake. Cora, the abandoned kitten Gran found on the Rothiecraig Estate, is in fact a wild lynx kit and she is growing—fast! Suddenly, Esme find herself on a dangerous mission to rewild Cora, along with Callum Docherty for company, the school’s ‘bad boy’, and Shug, the worst guard dog in the world. The situation takes a terrifying turn when the children pitch their tents on a bleak Highland moor and hear wolves howling outside…

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In 1771, Robert Burns, future national poet and folk hero of Scotland, has big problems. 12-year-old Rab spends all of his time doing backbreaking work on his family’s farm instead of attending school, but when he finds a hag stone in one of the fields, everything changes. Looking through its circular hole, he sees witches gathering in a coming storm, and they’ve set their sights on his family. Can Rab save his sisters from the clutches of the witches’ coven before their Halloween ceremony in the old kirk? Filled with mystery and magic, Hag Storm is a spooky, historical adventure with a supernatural twist, based on the life of Robert Burns and one of his most famous and best-loved poems, Tam O’Shanter.

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Discover Scotland’s real-life Animal Superstars! Read about 25 braw birds and beasties and find out how these incredible creatures made their mark on Scottish history. Meet these animal heroes through their inspiring true-life tales: Towser: the tortoiseshell cat that holds the Guinness World Record for catching the most mice ever; Socks: the moonwalking Shetland pony and media sensation; Winkie: a pigeon honoured for bravery during WW2; Kylie: a bilingual dolphin that taught herself to ‘speak’ porpoise and many more! Filled with fun facts and amazing adventures, Scotland’s Animal Superstars is ideal for curious minds and animal lovers everywhere! A portion of the royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Scottish SPCA.

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Put the magic back into Christmas with Elma the Elf and her mission to save Santa and his reindeer. With 24 chapters, it’s perfect for parents and children to share during Advent to countdown to the big day! Santa’s gone. It’s time to fix Christmas. Meet Elma the Elf: a chatterbox, an inventor and a pain in the Christmas pudding! Elma is about to start her dream job at Santa’s Toy Factory. But all is not well in the Arctic Circle… Santa is missing and there’s only one mangy reindeer left—Comet! Can Elma save Christmas with Comet’s help? Where is Santa? How will the presents be delivered in time? Who’s the sinister fellow (with weird hair) sabotaging her plans? And just how cold does it have to be to freeze bogies? Find out in October 2018!

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SHORTLISTED FOR THE SALTIRE FIRST BOOK AWARD An eight-year-old girl and her granpa are on the run… “When me and Granpa watched James Bond films, he told me not to be scared because people didn’t have guns like that in Scotland. That must’ve been why the robbers used hammers.” Orphaned Mary lives with her granpa, but after he is mixed up in a robbery at the bookies where he works, they flee to the Isle of Skye. Gradually, Mary realises that her granpa is involved. And the robbers are coming after him–and their money. Mary’s quirky outlook on life, loss, and her love of all things Elvis, will capture your heart. Full of witty Scots banter, Mary’s the Name will have you reaching for the hankies, first with laughter, then with tears. ‘Funny, smart, and full of heart’ HELEN SEDGWICK Author of The Comet Seekers ‘Pacy and poignant, wee Mary leaves a big impression’ LIAM MURRAY BELL Author of The Busker

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Begin the journey; discover your destiny... Set against a backdrop of Scottish myths and legends, follow the epic quest by a changeling, a selkie and a prince to find an ancient and powerful object, and save the kingdom. Ailsa doesn’t believe in faerie tales, only the monsters in them. But, with the mark on her face, most people consider her one of them - a changeling. Her secluded life shifts when she rescues two selkies from bloodthirsty raiders. Now she must act as their guard as they travel to the capital and then, with the help of the Prince of Eilanmor, journey north to find The Stone of Destiny - the only object protecting them all from the evil faerie queen. But all her life a malignant creature has stalked her through the forest. Can Ailsa find The Stone of Destiny before something wicked finds her?

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What if nature fights back? In a daze, I take it all in: the wind, the leaden skies, the churning moody sea. And, far in the distance, a misty outline. Skelsay. Wilderness haven. Building-site. Luxury-retreat-to-be. And now, home. When her father’s construction work takes Em’s family to the uninhabited island of Skelsay, she is excited, but also a little uneasy. Soon Em and her friend Zac realise that the setbacks, mishaps and accidents on the island point to something altogether more sinister: the wilderness all around them has declared war. Danger lurks everywhere. But can Em and Zac persuade the adults to believe it before it’s too late?

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Put the magic back into reading! Engaging, inspirational, and practical the complete course book and teacher's guide for Reflective Reading. This exciting approach improves attainment and motivation by revamping reading comprehension in the primary classroom. Put the magic back into reading through fun, engaging ideas and activities for the teaching of reading. Create life-long readers with good reading habits, who read for pleasure and appreciate text in all its forms. Ensure higher order thinking skills are embedded within teaching and learning using a new, child-friendly taxonomy - the Comprehension Compass. Teachers and children will enjoy completing and creating Task Maps, Long Reads, Short Reads and TexTplorers activities. Inside you will find: Short Read texts and activities, suitable for whole-class teaching and shared reading Long Read activities and Task Map exemplars, for reading groups and differentiation Advice on assessment, planning, managing reading in the classroom and choosing texts Guidance on 'How to Build a Reader' and identifying reading difficulties Child Friendly Reading Booklets to encourage a learning dialogue about reading to support Assessment is for Learning A 'Cultivating a Reading Culture' self-evaluation to encourage collegiate reflection on your school's current reading practice Also includes photocopiable lesson plans, templates, and downloadable resources so you can get started straightaway!

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WINNER YOUNG QUILLS AWARD BEST HISTORICAL FICTION 2021 12-year-old Ada is a laundress of little consequence but the new castle commander Brian de Berclay has his evil eye on her. Perhaps she shouldn’t have secretly fed the young prisoner in the tower. But when the King of England crosses the border with an army of over 3000 strong, Ada, her friend Godfrey and all at Caerlaverock suddenly find themselves under attack, with only 60 men for protection. Soon, rocks and flaming arrows rain from the sky over Castle Caerlaverock - and Ada has a dangerous choice to make.

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Unlock the secrets of the unsinkable ship… Bertha Watt, tree-climber and would-be polar explorer, is excited to be on RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage, as she leaves Aberdeen behind for the glamour of a new life in America. But Bertha quickly realises that some passengers are behaving strangely, and she determines to unravel their secrets. With new friend, Madge, Bertha sets up her own detective agency to try and solve the mysteries onboard, but they have no idea that disaster is looming for Titanic. Can they help Johan find the hidden treasure and unmask the identity of the enigmatic Mr Hoffman before time runs out on the ‘unsinkable’ ship?

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A true princess is a princess, whether in a castle or a cage... When her father, Robert the Bruce, is crowned King of Scotland, Marjorie Bruce becomes a princess. But Edward Longshanks, the ruthless King of England, captures Marjorie and keeps her prisoner in a wooden cage in the centre of a town square, exposed to wind, rain, and the bullying taunts of the townspeople. Marjorie knows that despite her suffering and pain, she must stay strong: the future of Scotland depends on her... Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris bring to life a breathless chapter from Scottish history in this thrilling novel with an unforgettable young heroine.

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Get ready for the race of your life… This is what it feels like when I’m running. When I’m running fast, I feel free. 12-year-old Lili is determined to defeat her arch rival in front of the Queen during her school’s anniversary celebrations. Adopted from China as a baby, Lili also has personal challenges to overcome, but when her training is thrown into chaos by events outside her control, she realises that she must choose between family and the race of her life. Meanwhile in 1944, Eric Liddell, hero of the 1924 Olympics, finds himself in a war zone. Separated from his family, he is getting ready to run his final race in a prison camp in China when his lifelong principles are challenged by the imprisoned children he is trying to help… Praise for The Race ‘Not your typical happily ever after, Roy has written a wonderfully relatable and inclusive tale, where all are welcome, and the beauty of sport brings everyone together in the end. There are life lessons to be learned in this inspiring story with friendship at its heart.’ SHAUNAGH BROWN International Rugby Player and Former Commonwealth Games Athlete

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LIFE, DEATH & TIME TRAVEL ON THE GLASGOW SUBWAY "Life isnae a fulm. It’s barely even a story. Thur’s nae such hing as gid guys and bad guys, thur’s jist… guys. Cause sometimes folk dae nice hings, really lovely hings, and then a minute later they dae horrible, break yer heart hings. But that widnae be easy tae digest over ninety minutes while ye munch yer popcorn and sook yer Tango Ice Blast. So we pretend thur’s gid guys and bad guys and sort folk intae wan category or the other. We don’t like tae believe thur’s a giant chasm in the middle whaur everybody really sits." When selfish student Daisy trashes her stepdad’s funeral, she gets blind drunk and wakes up on the Glasgow subway to find she has travelled back in time. To make amends for her behaviour, she must save a life—but she doesn’t know who, how, or where to begin. She’ll have to find out fast if she wants to make it back to her old life and avoid being trapped in the wrong timeline forever. This novel was awarded one of the first Scots Language Publication Grants funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Book Trust.

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Tom and Beth are not happy when they move to North Berwick in Scotland and find themselves facing a rainy, windswept beach, a house that's falling to pieces and a school full of strangers. But when an oil tanker crashes into the Bass Rock, the small seaside town is shaken to its core and Tom and Beth suddenly find themselves in a race to rescue the local sea life and save their new community from environmental catastrophe...

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FOURTH YEAR. TWO PALS. ONE MURDER. ‘Whoever said yer school days are the best days ae yer life was at the absolute wind up. I hink maist grown ups dinnae mind whit it was really like. Wait til yeese hear whit Sonny and me got detention for...’ Daughter and Sonny are two best friends just trying to get through fourth year at high school. But when their favourite teacher leaves unexpectedly, and no one will say why, the boys decide to start their own investigation. As they dig deeper into the staff at Battlefield High, they discover a dark secret which one person will kill to protect... Will they uncover the truth without being expelled? Can their friendship survive when personal secrets are revealed? And will they manage to dog off double English?

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Some summers were made for growing up… Dundee, 1917. When his father goes to fight in the war, 11-year-old James is sent to live with his mill-town relatives and his cousin, Billy. In this unfamiliar world of poverty, bullying, and uncertainty, James fights to be accepted and learns the true value of friendship and family. ‘The God of All Small Boys is the one who grows trees, with branches in just the right places, so we can climb right to the top. He invented fireworks and dogs and sticks and horses and muddy puddles. And he lets us find secret places... like this!’

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Would you break the rules or break your promise? On the outskirts of Edinburgh, just before the outbreak of WW2, Charlie finds a starving German boy called Josef hiding in the woods near his home. Josef can’t speak English and is desperately afraid, especially of anyone in uniform. Charlie promises to help Josef find his Jewish relatives in the city. It’s a journey that will force them to face their fears, testing their new-found friendship, and Charlie’s promise, to the limit.

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War has arrived in Ossiana; Four Treasures and four fae are all that stand between Eilanmor and destruction. But with Ailsa and her friends scattered to the winds, will they find each other before their enemies tighten their chokehold on the continent? Still reeling from her revelation in the mountains, Ailsa must prove she is worthy of the Spear of Truth to win it from the witches. Surrounded by strangers and abandoned by both her demon and her spirit guide, things have never looked bleaker. But the gods have their own plans and soon Ailsa and her companions find that what was once dead and buried will rise again.

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Join the journey; discover your destiny Set against the epic backdrop of Scottish myths and legends, comes The Cauldron of Life, the second title in The Four Treasures series written by Caroline Logan. In the Isles of Ossiana, Harris has been captured by the Faerie Queen and Ailsa must journey once again into the heart of Eilanmòr to rescue him. But Ailsa is struggling with her newfound magic and the revelations about her real identity. Is the Faerie Queen Ailsa's mother? Is everything she believed about her past a lie? Meanwhile, a war is brewing between much more powerful forces. The lines between good and evil are blurring, and Ailsa must decide where she stands… Perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Holly Black, Caroline’s Scottish upbringing and influences shine through in The Four Treasures series and teenage and young adult readers will delight in returning to the enchanting world of Eilanmor. With LGBTQ+ characters, as well as themes of self-discovery, loyalty, and love, there is something for everyone in The Cauldron of Life.

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Win. Lose. Survive. I was the boy with a plan. Now I am the boy with nothing. From the moment 12-year-old Kylan hatches a plan to escape from his Norse captors, and return to Scotland to find his mother, his life becomes a dangerous game. The precious Lewis Chessmen—which he helped carve—hold the key to his freedom, but he will need all his courage and wit to triumph against Sven Asleifsson, the cruellest Viking in the realm. One false move could cost him his life. Barbara Henderson has woven a thrilling origin story around the enduring mystery of the Lewis Chessmen, their creation in Norway, and how they ended up buried in the Hebrides before being discovered on Lewis in 1831.

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Every cloud has a silver lining... doesn't it? Anna is thirteen years old, lives in London with her father, and has Asperger's syndrome. When her father dies, she moves to Scotland to live with her estranged, reclusive mother. With little support to help her fit in, she must use every coping strategy her father taught her - especially her 'Happy Game' - as she tries to connect with her mother, discover her past, and deal with the challenges of being thrown into a brand new life along the way. Eleanor H. Porter's 'Pollyanna' re-imagined for a new generation.

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FOREWORD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS WINNER NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL 2021 An old promise. A mysterious tiger. A Magical adventure. Lal and his brother Dilip miss home. They don't like drizzle, midges, or the tiger skin rug in their creepy new house. All they want is to leave Scotland and go back to India. But that's before they make friends with Jenny, and before the tiger comes back to life... The tiger tells them it will take them home in return for their help: it cannot rest until it fulfils an old promise. Can Lal, Dilip and Jenny help it on its quest? Who is trying to stop them? And will they get back home? Fly into the night with this fabulous tale of adventure, friendship and what it means to find home.

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Could you be a Euro Spy? Try to solve the cryptic clues as you read along in a race against the clock! Samia, Ava and Frankie are thrilled to win a whirlwind trip of European capital cities. But when the Euro Metro rumbles through the night to their first destination and shots are fired, it becomes crystal clear that this is no ordinary school trip. Their enigmatic chaperone, Miss Watson, is forced to admit that the children are being used as cover for a spying mission. Her colleague in M16 has vanished—presumed dead—and has left behind a trail of cryptic clues leading to vital information. On their arrival in Paris, Samia, Ava and Frankie are catapulted into a world of art, espionage and terrible danger. Can the children solve the fiendish clues hidden on famous European landmarks and avoid the scary strangers who are stalking their every move?

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Tam O'Shanter meets Manga... Whene’er to drink you are inclin’d, Or cutty-sarks run in your mind, Think! ye may buy joys o’er dear— Remember Tam o’ Shanter’s mare. This vibrant and appealing adaptation of Tam O’Shanter brings the work of Robert Burns and the Scots language to life for a new generation through the medium of manga in this graphic novel for the 10-14 age range. Using the full and unabridged original poem, Richmond Clements a writer, editor and colourist, has adapted one of Burns' best-loved works. The illustrater, Inko, is a UK based Japanese manga and comic artist. Her work combines modern & traditional Eastern and Western cultures in this exciting edition.

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Fly to France with Frida and Arthur the Dragon as they visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre museum, the Lascaux cave and the Canal de Midi. Discover historical stories and meet famous figures from France’s past including Joan of Arc, Napoleon, and King Louis XIV; scientists Louis Pasteur and Marie Curie; literary legends George Sand, Jules Verne, Honoré de Balzac and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry; composer Claude Debussy; singer Edith Piaf and many more. This exquisitely illustrated book is a fairy tale journey through the beauty of France, as well as a wonderful guide to its rich history and culture.

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Would you be brave enough to fight back? When 12-year-old Janet’s village is under threat– she decides to take action. It’s a split-second decision that could cost her everything: her home, her family – even her life. Can Janet save her village from being wiped out? Or will her family and friends be forced from their homes to face an uncertain future? Based on real life events, Fir for Luck is a tale of the brutal Highland Clearances, when land owners cared more about sheep than people. ‘Steeped in atmosphere, tension and the lyric cadences of the Highlands, Janet’s tale lights a fire of courage and hope in a shameful and tragic period of Scotland’s past. Henderson’s debut is brave and beautiful.’

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Wrong place. Wrong time. A boy on the run. THE MARKET'S ON FIRE. FIRE! FIRE! THE BOY DID IT! Smoke belches out through the market entrance. And me? I turn and run. Inverness 1889. When 12-year-old Phin is accused of a terrible crime, his only option is to flee. In the unlikely company of an escaped prisoner and a group of travelling entertainers, he enters a new world of Punch and Judy shows and dancing bears. But will Phin clear his name? And what can he do when memories of a darker, more terrible crime begin to haunt him?

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Get ready for battle… With everyone still healing after their encounter with the Faerie Queen, Ailsa MacAra had hoped to spend time with her long-lost brother. But something strange happened to Cameron in the land of the fae, revealing that the world is under threat. Wicked and powerful forces have come to Ossiana and war is brewing across the continent. There is only one way to stop it: find The Four Treasures and get ready for battle. It’s a race against time, but will the magical objects be enough to defeat a god?

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A summer that will change lives forever The Highlands, 1881 A boy seeking a father... A girl seeking treasure... A writer seeking a story... When Robert Louis Stevenson sketches a map to amuse his stepson Sam, it sets them off on the adventure of a lifetime. While Stevenson is inspired to write his first great story, Sam has a treasure hunt of his own to pursue, guided through the hidden forests and dangerous glens of the Cairngorms by the mystical Jen Hawkins. Finding Treasure Island is the missing memoir of Sam Osbourne, which reveals his part in the birth of the greatest adventure story written.

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Whatever you do, don't look down... 'I loved it' TOM PALMER 'Henderson reaches new heights with her fabulously gripping historical adventure—absolutely riveting!' SUSAN BROWNRIGG 'Packed with fascinating historical detail, real-life peril and exciting adventure—a riveting read!' LINDSAY LITTLESON When 12-year-old John Nicol gets a job at the Forth Bridge construction site, he knows it’s dangerous. Four boys have already fallen from the bridge into the Forth below. But John has no choice—with his father gone, he must provide an income for his family—even if he is terrified of heights. John finds comfort in the new Carnegie library, his friend Cora and his squirrel companion, Rusty. But when he is sent to work in Cain Murdoch’s Rivet Gang, John must find the courage to climb, to face his fears, and to stand up to his evil boss. Based on real people and events, Rivet Boy blends fact and fiction to tell the story of one boy’s role in the building of the iconic Forth Bridge—Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder—in 1889.

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